Country: Kenya
Description: The K.U.P Model schools
This rural-based school project, developed under Kenya’s Kisumu Urban Projects Program in partnership with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), addresses the severe infrastructure degradation and unsafe conditions affecting the school. The site was selected due to its significant infrastructure deterioration, which had endangered users, particularly students, and led to a sharp decline in enrollment as local residents sought alternative schools.
The redesign strategically utilized open spaces among existing structures, with severely damaged buildings earmarked for demolition to make way for a cohesive new Master Plan. Key components of the project included new classrooms, an administration block, a separate Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) block, an ablution block, a modern entrance, and sports facilities. To ensure a consistent water supply for both the school and surrounding community, a borehole was also installed. Solar panels were installed to power the borehole and to provide lighting to security lighting.
The project emphasized community involvement, which fostered a collaborative approach to incorporating commercial activities that could support the Board of Management (B.O.M.) of the school in maintaining the facilities. These community-specific businesses—tailor shops, water vending kiosks, and a general store—were strategically located at the school gate, providing sustainable revenue streams and creating a social hub for interaction between the school and the community.
Passive design strategies and sustainable architecture were integral to the overall design, maximizing natural ventilation and lighting to ensure a comfortable learning interior environment while minimizing reliance on the national power grid. The school now stands as a model for environmentally conscious and community-centered rural education development which can be replicated to serve other areas of the larger Kisumu county.
